ASK MAULANA

Would you recommend that madrasas also teach their students about other faiths? May be that will also help them become more interested in or open to interfaith dialogue? Yes, madrasas could also consider teaching their students the basics of other religions. This will enable the students, as would-be ulema, to relate more comfortably with people of other faiths. The teaching of other religions should aim at providing students an objective understanding of these faiths. The earlier, polemical, approach of denouncing other religions must be given up. You must learn to understand your neighbour even if you do not agree with him. I think polemics are against the ethos of Islam. So, for instance, in my case, when I visit Hindu, Sikh, Christian shrines and other places of worship, I try to empty my mind of prejudices, and I have learnt a lot from this process. My intention in going to such places is to learn, not to debate or to denounce others as inferior. The Quran asks us to be sympathetic well-wishers of others. o Plan of Nature Innumerable processes are at work in the world, all in accordance with nature's equilibrium. The earth moves in its orbit and revolves non-stop. The sun continues to shine its light on the world. The winds blow, the rains come, the rivers flow, the plants and trees grow. All processes continue without interruption in a peaceful manner without any violence or confrontation. Human beings should act in a balanced way in this world, without distorting the balanced pattern of nature. If we distort the plan of nature it will lead to chaos.